Duplex valve



March 30, 1937. Y w. F. MCKAY 2 ,07g40 l n DUPLEX VALVE Filed March 28,1954 Patented Mar. .30, 1937 A DUPLEX VALVE William F. McKay, Maplewood,N. J., assigner, by f mesne assignments, to Union Carbide and Car` bonCorporation, a, corporation oi New York Application Marchas, 1934,serial No. 717,697

1s clams. (cian-1s) I This invention relates to improvements. in

valves andv more particularly .to an improved-- duplex valveforcontrolling the flow of fluid from separate sources to a commondischarge conduit or Afrom 'a single supply conduit to separate de-'livery conduits. l

The main objects of4 this invention/are: topro- 1 vide an improved valveof the packless type; to provide a conveniently-operable, compactandv bsimple duplex valve for controlling the iiow of 1 rluidfrom branchconduits toa single conduitor vice versa; and to provide a duplex valvein which the valves may be operated independently, in which'each valvemay be closed positively rather 15,than by the action ofia springalone,in which. "both valves may bev closed simultaneously,.and

in which one of the valves may -be opened -while `the other valve ismaintained in av closed position.

These and'other objects and the novel fea-.

tures ofthis invention will become apparent `from the following'description and the accompanying drawing, of` which: i

Fig'.` l is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of `a duplex valveembodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is arr end view of thevalve; and `Fig.`3 is a transversesectionalview of one of the-valve heads, taken on the line 3--3 inFig. 1. One embodiment of this invention, as shown by the drawing,comprises a metal valve body A whichhas two axially-aligned,substantially iden- Y tical cavities B and C, and. a" cylindrical bore Dproviding a chamber E between and axially in line vwith said cavities..The chamber E communicates through ports P,`P with chambers andF" insaid cavities, and said ports are controlled by valves'i/, V` mainlyl,housed in the` chamber E andoperable by mechanisms'located in saidvcavities. Branch passages G, G and a single passage H in the body 'A,respectively operiV into the end chambersv F, F' and into theintermediate chamber E,-these` passages being adapt- `ed for theconnection thereto of suitable conduitsl so that fluid may be deliveredat will from either`r P is disposedlcentrally in a part ofthe body con'-stituting a partition between the chamber `E and ,the cavityB, and theport P' is disposed centrally ina threaded ring R secured in aninternally' threaded section lI 0 at the bottom of the cavity C. Agasket II, held against a shoulder I2 by the` ringljR, seals the jointbetween the body andthe ring. Recesses I3 in the face of the ring R xnayf be provided to receive a wrench or other suitable ltool for tighteningthe ring into place.

The valves V, V are identical butface in opposite, directions in thechamber Eiand preferably have bevelled surfaces adapted to engagecorre--` spondingly bevelled seatsat the ports P, P'. kThe valves have.stems I4, Il' which extend through the ports into the chambers F and Ffrespectively, and the valve heads are slidable within and guided bythebore D but are flattened or partially cut away at opposite sides, as atI5, I5', to permit'the flow ofiiuid past the valves. Back of theirheads, the valves have reducedsections or bosses I6, I6 i which areencircled by `asingle stiff helical spring; Spthe 'opposite ends ofwhich bearaag'alnst the 1 shoulders I8, I8' formed between the valveheads l and said bosses. 1 t The valve operating mechanismsin the cavijties B and C are identicall and, to simplify the description, only themechanism in cavity B willv lbe described in detail, like parte in theother cavity being designated bythe same rnumerals primed. The entranceof the cavity Bis internally threaded, `as at` I9, to receive theexternally threaded bushing 20,' lthe inner annular., end of `whichengages the margin ,of an imperforate. ilexible circular metal diaphragm2I and clamps the latter fluid tight against an internal shoulder 2,2.The diaphragm 2l (or ZIf) thus serves as one wall of thechamber B (or,C)rand, being flexible, also constitutespan `element for transmittingpressure to operatethe valve V (or V'). 'Ihe central portion of theinner face of the diaphragm is engageable bythe convex face of apressure transmitting plate., 23, the opposite face of which hasa recess24 to receive the rounded end of the valve stern Il .whereby the latterand the plate 23 are self-centering.` The, central portion of the outerface of the diaphragm 2i engages lthe convex surface offa secondpressure-transmitting plate 25.4 The plate 25 maybel of larger diameterthanthe plate 23 to support the diaphragm 2| when-it is exed outwardlyor inwardly. 1 The plate y"|25 iits within and preferably has aperipheral surface of about the same diameter as a counterbore-"ZB` atthe inner end of the bushing 20, so that'the plate will be slidable inand guided by ltheeounter- Ore y b Y f 'I'.he bushingZU is internallythreaded, `as atZV'I, toreceive an externally threaded valve-actuatingplug 28 which is rotatable and axially adjustable in the bushing toeither unseat or release` the valveV. The pressure exerted by adjustmentof the plug is applied to the plate 2.5 by a spheri- T, Vori-ICE cal orball bearing 29 which seats in correspondingly shaped recesses 30, 3| inthe opposed faces of the plug 28 and plate 25 and provides a slightclearance between these parts.

5 The bushing 20 is lalso counterbored between its internally-threadedsection 21 and the counterbore 26 to provide a chamfered shoulder` 32which serves as a sealing seat for the edge of an annular I tion or key34 to fit a keyway 35 at the end of a handle 36 which is adapted to turnthe plug in either direction and thereby advance or retract` the plug 28in the bushing 20. In order that the two plugs 28 and 28' may beoperated in unison to unseat one valve while closing the other, or

to set both valves in an intermediate closed position, the two handles36 and 36 may be bent toward one another and provided with matchinghemispherical heads 31, 31' which are provided with aligned recesses,one of which is threaded,

to receive a set screw 38 to secure the heads together and formaball-shaped grip.

Assuming that the valve V is open and the valve V' is closed, as shown;when the two handles are swung forward as a unit, the plug 28 will bevturned in a clockwise direction, viewed from the right side of the valvewhile the plug 28 will be turned in a counter-clockwise direction, asviewed from the opposite, or left, side of the valve. As

the handles are swung through an arc of substantially 90, pressure willbe withdrawn from the valve V to permit it to seat over the port P underthe force of the closing spring Il, while 40 the plug 28 and ballbearing 29' are advanced until initial contact is made with the plate25. Both the valves V and V are closed When the handles are in thisintermediate position, and no fluid can iiow through the passage H.

A further throw of the handles 36, 3'6 through another arc ofsubstantially V90" will cause the plug 28 andball `bearing 29 to forcethe plate 25 against the diaphragm 2|', thrusting the plate 23 againstthe stem of valve V and moving the valve V away from its seat to an openposition. At the same time the boss I6' of the valve V is moved acrossthe chamber E Where it engages the boss I6 of the valve V and firmly andpositively` seats the latter. V by a direct axial thrust gives greaterassurance of a leak-tight fit of the valve V over the port P than if thecompressive action of the spring S alone were relied upon. In service,the valve may be mounted so that the axial center line of the bore D andchambers F, F is either horizontal or vertical. When said axis isvertical, there is less possibility that the weight of the handles 36,36' may accidentally change the setting of valves.

In the preferred construction of this valve, as 05 shown,`it isimpossible for both valves to be open at the same time, since the springS as well as the engagement of the bosses I6, and I'6' force and holdone valve shut when the other valve is opened. However, by shorteningthe bosses I6, I6' lso, that there will be a substantial clearancebetween them and by making the springs of suilicient strength, thehandles 36 and 36' may be turned in opposite directions from theirintermediate closed position to open both valves at the same time, whereit is desired to simultane- The closing of the valve ously supply iluidsfrom the branch passages G and G to the single passage'H or to supplyfluid from the single passage H to the two branch passages. With thebosses thus shortened so that there is between them a clearance at leastslightly greater than the aggregate length of travel-.of each of thevalves, the handle 36 may be thrown throughan arc of approximately whilethe handle 36 remains in the position, as shown. Both of the valves willthen be opened, and a complete reversal of the position of the handlesis necessary to close the valves.

Although one embodiment of this invention has .y been illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that some parts of the improvedl valvemay be used without others and various changes may be made in theconstruction disclosed without departing from the principles of thisinvention.

I claim:

l. A valve comprising a body having aligned cylindrical chambers and acoaxial port connectingsaid chambers; a valve in one of said chamberscontrolling saidport and having a stem projecting through said port intothe other of said chambers, a bushing secured to said body in line withsaid chambers; an adjustable valveactuating element carried by saidbushing; and means for transmitting pressure from said element to saidvalve stem comprising an imperforate diaphragm clamped to said body bysaid bushing and constituting a wall of the chamber into which said stemprojects, the pressure-transmitting'means also comprising a pair oiplates, one of saidrplates being operatively associated with said valvestem and having a convex surface i thatengages one face of saiddiaphragm, and thev other platebeing operatively associated with said Yactuating element and having a convex surface that engages the otherface of said diaphragm.

2. A Avalve comprising a cylindrical chambers and a coaxial portconnect-` ing said chambers; a valve in one of said chambers controllingsaid port and having a stem projecting through said port into the otherof said chambers, a bushing secured to said body in line with said lchambers; an adjustable valve-actuating element f carried by saidbushing; and means for transmitting pressure from said element to saidvalve stem comprising an imperforate diaphragm clamped to.said body bysaid bushing and constituting a Wall of the chamber into which said stemprojects, said bushing having a counterbore; and thepressure-transmitting means also comprising a pair of plates of unequaldiameter, the smaller plate engaging one face of said diaphragm andbeing movably connected to said valve, the larger plate engaging theother face of said diaphragm and being guided by the wall of saidcounterbore.

3. A valve comprising a body having aligned cylindrical chambers and acoaxial portconnecting said chambers; a valve in one lof said chamberscontrolling said port and having a stem projectingV through said portinto the other of said chambers, a bushing secured to said body in linewith said chambers; an adjustable valve-actuating element carried bysaid bushing; and means for transmitting pressure from said elementI tosaid valve stem comprising an imperforate diaphragm clamped to said bodyby said bushing and constituting a wall of the chamber into which saidstem projects, said actuating element being rotatable, and thepressure-transmitting means also comprising a non-rotating plate bearingagainst said diaphragm and substantially the dibody having aligned ,L

ameter of said outer chamber, and a ball bearing between said actuatingelement and said plate.

4. A valve comprising a body having aligned cylindrical chambers and acoaxial port connecting said chambers; a valve in one of said chamberscontrolling said port and having a stem projecting through said portinto the other of said chambers, a bushing secured to said body in linewith said chambers; an adjustable valve-actuating element carried bysaid bushing; and means for transmitting pressure from said element tosaid valve stem comprising -an imperforate diaphragm clamped to saidbody by said bushing and `constituting' a wall of the chamber into whichsaid stem projects, saidactuating element being turnable andlongitudinally adjustable in said bushing; and the pressure-transmittingmeans comprising a pair of plates, one of said plates being movablymounted on said valve stem and 20 having a convex surface engaging oneface of said diaphragm, the other plate having avconvex surface engagingthe other surface of substantially the entire movable portion `olf saiddiaphragm, said other plate and said actuating ele- \ment having opposedrecesses, and a ball bearing seated in said recesses.

i 5. A valve comprising a body having aligned cylindrical chambers andacoaxial port connecting said chambers; a valve in one of said cham-Vbers controlling said port and having a stem projecting through saidport `into the other of said chambers, abushing secured to said bodyinline with said chambers; an adjustablejvalve-actuati ing elementcarried by said bushing; and means for transmitting pressure from saidelement to` said valve stem comprising an imperforate diaphragm clampedto said body by said bushing and constituting a Wall o1' the chamberinto Whichy said Ystern projects, said bushinghaving a recess with achamfered shoulder, and said valve-actuating element having a,` roundcornered flange i adapted-to contact with said chamfered shoulder .toadditionally seal the chamber having the valve therein when the valve isopen.

6. A- duplex valve comprising a body having end chambers, a thirdchamberand ports conf necting said third chamber to said end chambers,said end chambers and third chamber being `axially aligned; valvescontrolling said ports; and means, swingableabout'the axis of saidchambers, for operating said valves toA close either of said ports andopen the other.v l f 7. A duplex valve comprising a body having endchambers, a third chamber, and ports connecting said third chamber to`said end chambers; valves controlling said ports; and means outside ofsaid chambers for operating said .valves either simultaneously orindependently.

8. A duplex valve comprisinga `body having end chambers, a thirdchamber,` and ports connecting said third chamber tosaid endchambers;-valves in said third chamber for controlling said ports; and`means comprising a diaphragm i for operating each oi' said valves. f

9. A duplex valve according to vclaim ,7, in

ythe other.

independently oi.' the other.

which said body` has iiuid passages severally opening into each of `saidchambers, and said valves are operable to control the fluid iiow inAeither direction through said passages.

10.'A duplex valve Vaccording to claim "l, in

f operating said valves either simultaneously or independentlycomprising va handle consisting of a two similar connectible parts.

12. A duplex valve comprising a body having endchambers, a thirdchamber, and-ports connecting said third chamber -to saidend chambersvalves controlling saidports; and means foreperating said valves eithersimultaneously or independently comprising a handle consisting of twoseparable and connectible halves adapted to be4 operated independentlyto unseat either valve withoutV operating the other, and adapted to beoperated as afunit to open either valve and close 13. Aduplexgvalve,comprising a body having end chambers Ieacl'iprovided witha flexible wall. a third chamber axially` inline `with saidend chambers,and ports connecting said third chamber to said endifchambers; valvesvin said third chamber for controlling said ports; spring means in saidthird chamber tending to seat said valves and close said ports; andmeans in said 4end chamber-'sk operable by movement of said wall tounseat said]` valves. e

14..A duplex' valve'according'to claim 13, in which said port'sarelocated in the ends of `said third chamber each adjacent one of saidilexible walls, and said spring means comprises a single springfbearingagainst both va1`ves.

15. A duplex valve according to claim 13, in which said valves haveheads whereby they are vguided airially in said third chamber, and saidspring means VVcomprises a single spring encirf cling a portion of eachvalve.

16. A duplex valveaccording to claim 13, in combination with means foroperating such unseating means to alternately unseat said valves andVwith means whereby either valve is operable 17. A lduplexvalveaccording to claim 13, in combination with meansfor moving saidflexible walls for unseating one yvalve and simultaneously releasing theother to' permit said spring means to seat vthe latter.

18. A duplex valve according to claim '13," in f .n ,which said valveshave heads slidable in said third chamber, in combination `with meansfor unseating one valve and for simultaneously releasing the other topermit said spring meansand the opposing 'valvevhead to seatf'thelatter. f WILLIAMl F. MoKAY.

